Sukup Manufacturing Co. is now operating in a fourth north Iowa community. Earlier this year, the company started developing a production facility in the old Serta building located on the south side of Clear Lake. It’s a momentous time to expand the Sukup® Dryer line. 2023 marks 25 years since the company started making dryers. 2023 is also 60 years in business for the family-owned and operated bin and grain-handling manufacturer.
Nadine Wreghitt, Sukup Project Manager, describes a growing demand for Sukup dryers. “We have had our dealers come to us asking that we provide them with the dryers they need earlier and at a greater quantity.” Wreghitt explains that the location of this plant fits well with the current supply route that brings products to each of the different Sukup Manufacturing Co. facilities. That includes operations in Manly, Sheffield, and Hampton, Iowa.
James Perez is Plant Manager in Sheffield and is excited about what the new hires are bringing to the job. “We tapped into the Clear Lake market; it’s been tremendous. Obviously with what happened with Larson Manufacturing, wasn’t a good thing, but I’m very happy we were able to keep some of those employees in north Iowa.” Perez says they trained many of the newer team members at a different site before the Clear Lake launch. Those former Larson Manufacturing employees are finding a new home with familiar leadership.
Daren Meints was once part of Larson and is now the Clear Lake Sukup Production Manager. Meints says his former position has allowed him to bring qualified people with him to Sukup. “My goal is to make sure the people are happy. Happy people make good things.”
Sukup’s U.S. Sales Manager Jason Arndt agrees. “This new addition in Clear Lake is really what we need to start capitalizing on that demand and respond to our dealers. It invigorates our sales staff to be able and go out and say we can meet demand now.”
Currently more than two dozen people are part of the Clear Lake facility. The team there is focused on producing Mixed-Flow dryers. Sukup Manufacturing is boosting dryer sales to meet market demand.
For more information on Mixed-Flow Dryers and Farm Efficiency check out more articles: https://info.sukup.com/farm-efficiency.